Workers at Vauxhall's factory in Luton have told of their surprise at how quickly they could lose their jobs. It came after parent company Stellantis announced the closure of its van-making plant and subsequent relocation to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

Tories: Luton Vauxhall plant closure is ‘downpayment’ for further job losses - Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds blamed the previous government for the 1,100 jobs at risk.

The brutal restructuring at Vauxhall in Britain is part of a global jobs massacre by Stellantis and other transnational car producers. Unite officials will be working with the company every step of the way.

Vauxhall's owner Stellantis said it was planning to shut the site in April 2025, blaming the UK's "stringent" zero-emissions targets. | ITV News Anglia

Vauxhall’s planned Luton plant’s closure has been blamed on the government’s plan to force car makers to build more electric vehicles

Vauxhall is planning to shut its Luton van-making factory in a move that puts 1,100 jobs at risk, as net zero rules force it to curtail sales of petrol vehicles.

Labour minister Jonathan Reynolds told the Commons that Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Stellantis, which owns Vauxhall, had said he felt "extremely frustrated" by the lack of action from the previous Conservative government which meant "his desire was to close the Luton plant".

The owner of Vauxhall has announced plans to close its van making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk. Stellantis, which also owns brands including Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, said it would consolidate its electric van production at its other UK plant in Ellesmere Port.